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Taking part in voice phishing (fraud): statutory penalty and likely requested sentence
The statutory penalty for Taking part in voice phishing (fraud) and the likely handling of the case depending on your circumstances. The results are for reference only.
- Statutory penalty
- Fraud: up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 50 million (3 years or more in prison for a fixed term if the damage is KRW 500 million or more; life imprisonment or 5 years or more in prison if KRW 5 billion or more)
- Legal basis
- Criminal Act, Article 347; Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, Article 3
- Category
- Property
Calculate with your own circumstances
What the handling steps mean
- Detention considered · Detention (구속): being held in custody during the investigation and trial under a court warrant when there is a risk of fleeing or destroying evidence
- Formal trial · Formal trial (구공판): the prosecutor asks the court for a trial, and you stand before a judge in a courtroom
- Summary fine · Summary indictment (약식기소): a procedure in which a fine is set on the documents, without a trial in a courtroom
- Suspension of indictment possible · Suspension of indictment (기소유예): the wrongdoing is recognized, but the prosecutor takes various circumstances into account and closes the case without sending it to trial
- Referral to the Family Court possible · Domestic or juvenile protection case: instead of criminal punishment, the Family Court imposes protective dispositions such as counseling, a no-contact order or community service
Handling standards at a glance
Listed from heaviest to lightest. The actual decision depends on the results of the investigation and your circumstances.
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 15 years in prison
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 12 years or more in prison
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 10 years or more in prison
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 7 years or more in prison
Up to 15 years is requested depending on the damage and the role actually played.
Formal trial (prison sentence requested)
- Likely requested sentence
- 5 years or more in prison
This standard requests a heavy sentence even for a simple participant. It may be heavier depending on the damage and degree of involvement.
Notes
- Voice phishing is classified as a crime for which an actual prison term is sought, and the request is increased.
- This standard was set when the maximum penalty for fraud was 10 years. The December 2025 amendment (in force from September 2026) raised the maximum to 20 years, so the actual request may be heavier.
- Actual sentences are often lower than the request, and how you became involved, compensation for the damage and cooperation with the investigation are taken into account.
- If you handed over a bank account or debit card, see the 'Lending or selling bank accounts (transferring access media)' item.
Frequently asked questions
- Taking part in voice phishing (fraud): what is the statutory penalty?
- Legal basis: Criminal Act, Article 347; Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, Article 3. Statutory penalty: Fraud: up to 20 years in prison or a fine of up to KRW 50 million (3 years or more in prison for a fixed term if the damage is KRW 500 million or more; life imprisonment or 5 years or more in prison if KRW 5 billion or more).
- Taking part in voice phishing (fraud): how is the case usually handled?
- Depending on the circumstances, it may be handled as follows: Formal trial (prison sentence requested). Enter your circumstances in the calculator above to see which one applies.
Other crimes in the same category
This is only an estimate based on how investigative agencies usually handle cases. The actual decision and request depend on the facts of the case, such as a settlement, prior convictions and how the crime happened, and on the judgment of the prosecutor in charge; the final sentence is decided by the court. If you are about to be questioned, do not rely on this result alone and talk to a lawyer first.
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